Input & Input Devices Prepared By: Mr. Ingram

What is Input? Input is any data or instructions entered into the computer. Instructions entered into the computer can be in the form of programs, commands, and user responses. People have a variety of options available to input data and instructions into the computer.

Input Devices An input device is any hardware components that allows users to enter data or instructions into a computer. Depending on the application and your particular requirements, the input device selected may vary.

Types of Input Devices Popular input devices include: Keyboard Mouse Microphone Stylus and Digital Pen Scanner Joystick

The Keyboard A keyboard is an input device that contains keys users press to enter data into a computer. A typical keyboard has from 101 to 105 keys, which are divided into 3 sections: The Function Keys The Numeric Keys The Alphabet Keys

Types of Keyboard Alphanumeric Keyboard Specialized Keyboard

Alphanumeric Keyboard This keyboard looks and functions similarly to the normal typewriter keyboard with function keys, cursor controlled keys and special function keys.

Specialized Keyboard Some keyboards are designed for special applications, Example: Retail Keyboard: used in fast food restaurants and other retail stores Braille Keyboard: this keyboard is designed for the blind.

Mouse A mouse is a pointing device that fits comfortably under the palm of your hand. The mouse is the most widely used pointing device on desktop computers. The mouse was created by Douglas Engelbart in the 1960s.

Types of Mouse A mechanical mouse has a rubber or metal ball on its underside. An optical mouse uses devices that emit and sense light to detect the mouse’s movement

Other Pointing Devices The mouse is the most widely used pointing device today. Some users, however, work with other pointing devices, such as: Trackball Touchpad Pointing Stick Light Pen

Trackball Similar to a mechanical mouse that has a ball on the bottom, a trackball is a stationary pointing device with the ball on its top. The ball on most trackball is the size of a Ping-Pong ball.

Touchpad A touchpad is a small, flat, rectangular pointing device that is sensitive to pressure and motion.

Pointing Stick A pointing stick is a pressure-sensitive pointing device shaped like a pencil eraser that is positioned between keys on a laptop keyboard.

Light Pen A light pen is a handheld input device that can detect the presence of light. Some light pen require a specially designed monitor, while others work with a standard monitor.

Scanner A scanner is a light-sensing input device that reads printed text and graphics and then translates the results into a form the computer can process.

Joystick The Joystick is a vertical stick used to control the movement of the cursor.